Tuesday, February 28, 2012

ATTENTION: AABE Scholarship Available!

The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is a professional organization of African Americans in the energy industry. Through its Scholarship Program, AABE seeks to help increase the number of African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans (underrepresented minorities) in energy related fields. By doing so, they help our nation address a critical need and a challenge to our future economic vitality in the world market.

Candidates for an AABE scholarship must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Have at minimum a “B” academic average and a “B” average in mathematics and science courses (3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale);
- Be a graduating high school senior who has applied to one or more accredited colleges/universities;
- Plan to major in business, engineering, technology, mathematics or physical science fields;
- Demonstrate financial need;
- Be a member of one of the underrepresented minority groups (African American, Hispanic or Native American) in the sciences and related areas of technology.

Awards:
The New York Metropolitan Area Chapter of AABE will award-
- Three $2,000 scholarships (to be delivered in $500 increments over the four years that the student attends college. The top winner’s application is forwarded to compete for a Northeast Regional Award of $3,000 (The Northeast Region is one of six AABE Regions). Additionally, a Premier Award of $5,000 is given annually to the candidate who is judged to demonstrate the most outstanding achievement and promise.

The application is available here (http://www.aabe.org/index.php?component=pages&id=4), and the complete application is due NO LATER THAN March 9, 2012.

The completed application must to mailed to:
Mrs. Phyllis White-Thorne
Attention: Scholarship Committee
Con Edison
30 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Thursday, February 23, 2012

ATTENTION: DOT and Elected Officials Sponsor NYC Bike Share Planning Workshop; St. Francis College; TODAY (2/23)

Council Member Letitia James, Brooklyn Community Board 2, NYS Senator Daniel Squadron, NYS Assembly Member Joan Millman, and Council Member Steve Levin join the NYC Department of Transportation in inviting you to a Community Planning Workshop on the NYC Bike Share program--

WHEN: Thursday, February 23, 2012
6PM–8PM

WHERE: St. Francis College, Callahan Center
180 Remsen Street (btwn. Court Street and Clinton Street)
Brooklyn, NY

Please contact DOT for more information at (718) 222-7250

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

ATTENTION: Elected Officials Join Finance Dept. and NYC Tax Commission to Host Outreach Session on Property Taxes; 2/27; BK Boro Hall


Council Member Letitia James and Council Member Brad Lander, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Members Vincent Gentile, Sara M. González, Steve Levin, Al Vann, and Jumaane D. Williams- along with The NYC Department of Finance (Finance Department) and the NYC Tax Commission- are hosting a Joint Outreach Session on Property Taxes. The Finance Department recently announced the publication of the tentative property assessment roll for FY2013. The annual sets taxable property values for all City properties.

Many homeowners have seen a change in how their property has been valued, and are encouraged to attend the outreach session to learn more.

WHEN: Monday, February 27, 2012
6PM- 8PM

WHERE: Brooklyn Borough Hall (Courtroom)
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY

Please call the Office of Council Member Lander at (212) 788-6969 for more information.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

CM James Applauds Cornell U & Israel Institute of Tech Science Program; Calls on Admin To Ensure No Financial Assistance

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Contact: Barbara Sherman at (718) 260-9191

Council Member James Applauds Cornell University And Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Applied Science Program Based In New York City
Calls On Administration To Ensure No Student Will Be Denied Due To Financial Hardship

(Brooklyn, New York)— Council Member Letitia James is calling on Mayor Michael Bloomberg to ensure that all students who meet the academic criteria and apply to the schools of applied science at Cornell University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology— which will be located on Manhattan’s Roosevelt Island— not be denied admission due to financial hardship.

Recently, Mayor Bloomberg announced this historic partnership: Cornell University President David J. Skorton and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology President Peretz Lavie will build a two-million-square-foot applied science and engineering campus on Roosevelt Island. The City will also provide $100 million in City capital to assist with site infrastructure, construction, and related costs.

“I applaud the Mayor for selecting these two prestigious institutions renowned in the field of science, engineering, technology and research,” said Council Member James. “This academic initiative will increase New York City’s capacity for the applied sciences, and boost the City’s economy. I think it is of equal importance that the Mayor ensures that these private institutions provide scholarships and financial assistance to all students of need, as they would not have the opportunity to develop this program without the City’s generous funding.”

The applied science program was originally proposed to be based in Downtown Brooklyn at a long-abandoned building, of which the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has a long-term lease. Elected officials and stakeholders preferred a City-based institution utilizing the space. Council Member James supported a science program hosted by New York University and the nearby Polytechnic Institute, which have an existing partnership.
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Friday, February 17, 2012

ActNow: New Voices in Black Cinema Festival Presented at BAM

ActNow Foundation, in conjunction with BAMcinématek and NYC Council Member Letitia James, kick off their programming year on February 16th—20th with New Voices in Black Cinema, the second annual five-day event reflecting the wide spectrum of views and themes within the African diaspora community in Brooklyn and beyond.

A home to ActNow film screenings since August 2009 (including last summer’s New York premiere of The Wonder Year- Kenneth Price’s documentary profile of Grammy Award-winning producer 9th Wonder), BAMcinématek continues its partnership to provide exposure to new and compelling voices in Black independent cinema.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with BAMcinématek,” says Aaron Ingram, Executive Director of ActNow Foundation. “Offering filmmakers the opportunity to present their stories in New Voices in Black Cinema and in our home borough allows us engage movie lovers from all walks of life with the diversity, inspiration, beauty, and complexity of films of the African diaspora.”

For tickets go to www.BAM.org or visit the BAMcinématek box office at 30 Lafayette St, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Call 718.636.4100 ext 1 for more details.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Click here for the 2012 Media Kit and call Curtis John at 347-274-0563 for local sponsorship and advertisement opportunities.

For press accreditation information, visit actnowproduction.org/press.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

ATTENTION: CM James Joins Parks Dep. & FG Park Conservancy In Hosting Fort Greene Park Design Session


Council Member Letitia James joins the NYC Parks Department, Fort Greene Park Conservancy, and Brooklyn Community Board 2 in hosting--

a Community Listening Session to discuss the Conceptual Design for Fort Greene Park

WHEN: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
6PM-8PM

WHERE: Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church
85 South Oxford Street
Brooklyn, NY, 11217

Please contact the Office of Council Member James at (718) 260-9191 for more information.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

ATTENTION: Columbia Univ. Summer Public Health Scholars Program

Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons is hosting the Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP), a ten-week summer program for underrepresented minority students to increase interest and knowledge of public health and biomedical science careers.

The Summer 2012 Program spans May 28th to August 3rd.

Eligible Participants are:
-Students who have completed at least two years of college or recent college graduates
-African American/Black, Hispanic /Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander and/or economically disadvantaged

SPHSP offerings include:
● Public Health field experience
● Seminars and lectures with public health leaders
● Faculty mentoring
● Visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
● Stipend upon program completion

For more information and the program application please visit
www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu, or e-mail sphsp-ps@columbia.edu. The application deadline is February 14, 2012.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

ATTENTION: Cumberland D&TC Hosting Free Dental Screenings; 2/22; FG

In Celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Cumberland Diagnostic and Treatment Center will be hosting a FREE Dental Screenings for Children on Wednesday, February 22, 2012--

Screening visit includes:
-Short visual exam to identify any trouble spots in gums, teeth, and mouth
-Consultation with parents to answer questions; find out how to prevent oral disease and get tips on developing good habits for kids
-Dental goody bag with toothbrush!
-Raffle for a FREE Dental Sealant

WHEN: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
2:00PM to 6:00PM

WHERE: Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center
100 North Portland Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11205

For more information, please call 718-260-4851.

Monday, February 6, 2012

ATTENTION: Planned Parenthood Hosts Screening of Short Doc "A Vital Service"; Event Hosted by CM James and SVU Actor Tamara Tunie; 2;27; NYIT

On February 27, 2012, Planned Parenthood is hosting a screening of "A Vital Service: African American Stories of Reproductive Health". The event will be hosted by Council Member Letitia James and Law and Order: SVU's Tamara Tunie. Vital Service is a documentary short exploring reproductive health issues in the African American community.

WHEN: Monday, February 27, 2012
6:30PM- 8:30PM

WHERE: New York Institute of Technology, Auditorium
1871 Broadway (between 61st and 62nd Streets)
New York, NY

Those interested in attending must RSVP here: http://avitalservice.eventbrite.com/. The event password is "good health".

Friday, February 3, 2012

CM James, Elected Officials, and Women's Advocates Hold Press Conference Aplauding Komen Fdtn For Decision Reversal To Fund PPFA; 2/3; 4PM; City Hall

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
February 2, 2012

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081

Elected Officials and Women’s Advocacy Organizations Hold Press Conference Applauding Komen Foundation’s Decision To Continue Distributing Grants to Planned Parenthood
The Komen Foundation Had Previously Halted Grants To Planned Parenthood Under Conservative Pressure

(New York, NY)— On January 31, 2012, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the nation’s largest breast cancer charity, announced they would halt 17 of their 19 partnerships with Planned Parenthood Federation of America affiliates, abruptly ending thousands of dollars in grant funding that went primarily towards breast examinations. On February 3, 2012, the Susan G. Komen Foundation reversed this controversial decision in response to sharp criticism from public health advocates, elected officials, and women’s interest groups nationwide; as well as the threatened resignation of some of the organization’s top officials.

The Komen Foundation asserted that their previous position was not political, but in response to ongoing investigations by the United States Congress into Planned Parenthood. However, the continuous efforts to defund Planned Parenthood— which are being led by conservative factions on the federal level— constitute nothing more than political grandstanding that puts women in need of affordable healthcare at risk. Without doubt, these Congressional investigations are wholly political in nature.

Additionally, it is unlikely that the Komen Foundation’s original decision to cut ties with Planned Parenthood was not politically motivated as well. The Komen Foundation’s Senior Vice President for Public Policy since April 2011 has been Karen Handel, a woman who was endorsed by Sarah Palin during her race for Governor of Georgia in 2010. VP Handel went on record during her unsuccessful campaign as not supporting the “mission of Planned Parenthood”.

In fact, this is not the Komen Foundation’s first conflict over Planned Parenthood since VP Handel joined the non-profit. Late last year, Lifeway Christian Bookstores removed a Bible from stores because the Bible helped raise money for the Komen Foundation, which in turn donates funds to Planned Parenthood. The Bible was sold with the stipulation that $1.00 of each sale go to the Komen Foundation. In response, Komen stated that funding from the sale of the Bible has been “used exclusively to provide breast cancer programs”; however Lifeway stood by their decision, stating a conflict with the company’s “core values to have even an indirect relationship with Planned Parenthood.” Komen’s funding of Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest women’s healthcare provider, paid for an estimated 170,000 breast exams and 5,000 mammograms, detecting 177 cases of cancer from 2007-2011.

Even earlier in 2011, the Komen Foundation was forced to release a statement to further clarify its association with 19 Planned Parenthood programs. The statement asserted that all Komen funding is used by Planned Parenthood for ongoing breast cancer programs.

“The Komen Foundation has done such incredible work promoting women’s health, it is upsetting that they allowed a political agenda to upset that mission and take focus away from the their overall goal,” said Council Member Letitia James. “Breast cancer screenings provided by Planned Parenthood save lives. It is frustrating to see women’s healthcare issues being used as political footballs in 2012. I applaud the Komen’s Foundation’s reverse in their position, and warn the foundation against allowing political agendas to affect their funding decisions in the future.”

“Planned Parenthood of New York City joins women across the five boroughs – and across the country – in celebrating the Susan B. Komen Foundation’s decision to continue its long, successful partnership with Planned Parenthood in the fight against breast cancer,” said Joan Malin, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of New York City. “Like many organizations, the Komen Foundation has come under intense pressure from right-wing organizations that are more concerned with promoting ideology than protecting women’s health. After succumbing briefly to that pressure, and cutting off support to 19 breast health programs sponsored by Planned Parenthood affiliates, the foundation has rightly reversed course. Today it pledged to restore support for breast health programs run by Planned Parenthood health centers.”

“Loss of funding for breast cancer screening endangers the health and well-being of women, especially those low income New Yorkers who rely on Planned Parenthood for such vital services,” said NYC Comptroller John C. Liu. “We are relieved and appreciative that Susan G. Komen for the Cure will continue its grants to Planned Parenthood.”

“I applaud the decision by Susan G. Komen for The Cure to restore their grants to Planned Parenthood,” said Council Member Karen Koslowitz. “The goal of the organization is to promote women’s health through finding a cure for breast cancer and expanding preventative care. Unfortunately, some at the top of the organization put their own far right political agenda above the health and safety of women across the country. The reversal of this misguided policy is a major victory for women’s health.”

“I want to applaud the Komen Foundation for recognizing the role community partners, especially Planned Parenthood, play in the fight against breast cancer,” said Council Member Margaret Chin. “Having easily accessible and unbiased women’s health organizations in our communities allow those who would otherwise be excluded— such as low-income, minority women— to receive comprehensive care. As Republicans step up their attacks on reproductive rights, we need allies that will stand against playing politics with women’s health. I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm my full support for Planned Parenthood and the work that they do in New York City and across our nation.”

“Protecting a women's right to choose is of utmost concern to me,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm. “That is why I was very upset that the Komen foundation pulled the funding from Planned Parenthood. All people, women in particular, need adequate healthcare services and access to family planning. I'm glad to learn that the Komen Foundation has decided to restore funding to Planned Parenthood.”

[THE FOLLOWING QUOTES WERE MADE PRIOR TO KOMEN FOUNDATION REVERSING THEIR DECISION TO HALT FUNDING TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD]

“Grant funding from the Komen Foundation has made it possible for Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses to provide nearly 750,000 breast cancer screenings annually to women nationwide, offering risk assessments, breast exams, breast health information and education, and diagnostic and surgical referrals,” said State Senator Velmanette Montgomery. “The withdrawal of Foundation support is unconscionable.”

“We stand together to denounce the Komen Foundation’s withdrawal of funding from Planned Parenthood,” said Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. “Planned Parenthood’s efforts save lives by providing health services including breast cancer screening to women. This should not be a pro-choice, anti-choice issue but an issue of protecting women’s health, and on that count, the Komen Foundation’s decision is shameful.”

“If you want to reach millions of women to prevent cancer, you don’t cut off one of the country’s largest suppliers of breast cancer screenings,” said Sonia Ossorio, President of the National Organization for Women in NYC. “This is a reckless and irresponsible decision by the Komen Foundation, one that should be reconsidered.”

"The assault on Planned Parenthood is a calculated political assault by conservatives and we will not stand by as crucial funding for services for middle class and lower income women are abolished. If they pull out, we pull out! No more donations to the Susan G. Komen Foundation!” said Tamika D. Mallory, NAN National Executive Director.

“I Stand with Planned Parenthood because they have been there for me and now I want to be there for them, and for all the women whose lives were saved because of the very important work they do,” said political satirist and author Lizz Winstead.

“The Komen Foundation's decision to halt grants to Planned Parenthood sends a strong and chilling message,” said Joanna Zannoni, Executive Director of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault. “And those of us who believe that affordable healthcare for women is vital can send an equally strong message by making a donation to Planned Parenthood.”

On February 2, 2012, Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged $250,000 to Planned Parenthood in reaction to the news. The Komen Foundation gave an estimated $700,000 annually to Planned Parenthood.

WHAT: Press conference Applauding Komen Foundation’s Decision To Continue Distributing Grants to Planned Parenthood
WHEN: February 3, 2012
4:00PM
WHERE: steps of City Hall


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Thursday, February 2, 2012

DOORS ARE OPEN

BROWN MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH
484 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238 718-638-6121

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2012

REV. CLINTON M. MILLER AND THE BROWN MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY INVITE YOU TO THEIR SANCTUARY REDEDICATION WEEKEND OF SERVICES!

(Brooklyn, NY) A wonderful weekend of amazing services in honor of the renovation and preservation of Brown Memorial’s sanctuary is underway. The doors of the church are open.

“Please join us this weekend for our Rededication Services as we celebrate the return to our sanctuary after years of renovation. God has blessed us and we want to share it with you. Services will begin on Friday with Prayer and Praise, Saturday is the Rededication Service and Sunday is Friends & Family Day. Bring your friends and family to worship and celebrate with our family during this super weekend,” said Rev. Clinton Miller.

The sanctuary reopening will begin with a PRAYER & PRAISE SERVICE on Friday, February 3 at 7:00 PM.

A SANCTUARY REDEDICATION& BAPTISMAL SERVICE will be held on Saturday, February 4 at 1:00 PM. The guest preacher for this service will be the Reverend Doctor David L. Kelly, III, Pastor Christ Fellowship Baptist Church (reception to follow). Also, A CONGREGATION & COMMUNITY MARCH will begin an hour earlier on Saturday at 12:00 PM (line up starts at 11:45 AM).

FAMILY & FRIENDS DAY will include TWO dynamic WORSHIP SERVICES at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Sunday, February 5.

All services to be held at Brown Memorial Baptist Church, 484 Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

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